Exclusive Interview: Fongshan's Key Fifth Seat! Su Chih-jung Runs for Councilor with Market Revitalization and MRT Network Proposals

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Kaohsiung Fongshan district council candidate Su Chih-jung has re-entered the electoral race, announcing his bid for Fongshan’s crucial fifth seat. Having previously experienced electoral defeat, he spent over three years serving as Deputy Director in the office of Legislator Hsu Chih-chieh, deepening his grassroots engagement and accumulating extensive service experience, during which he assisted in resolving over 1,000 citizen complaints. Su emphasizes that he is a 'native son of Fongshan,' having been born, raised, and employed entirely within Fongshan. This re-election campaign aims to bring his years of grassroots experience into the council to genuinely address Fongshan’s challenges—from market revitalization and MRT construction to old settlement development—and secure more infrastructure for the community.

Accumulating Over 1,000 Service Cases Through Grassroots Engagement: A Native Son Fighting for the People

Su stated that during his time with Legislator Hsu’s team, he handled over 1,000 citizen complaints, many of which were successfully resolved through in-depth discussion and coordination. This reinforced his belief that 'when problems are seen, solutions must be found.' He noted that his father served as an elected representative for 32 years, and he himself has government experience, giving him practical insight into public administration and grassroots needs. For Su, the most important duty of a representative is to 'deliver accountability to the community'—regardless of whether an issue is fully resolved, the public deserves to know the progress and outcome.

Facing a competitive DPP primary with five candidates, Su acknowledges it’s a tough battle but asserts his advantage: 'I know Fongshan best and understand it most deeply.' He emphasizes that his family, social circle, and friends are all rooted in Fongshan. Fongshan is not just his electoral district but the home where he has lived his entire life. 'I won’t just show up during elections—I will continue living in Fongshan.' Therefore, he hopes to gain community support, win a council seat, and become a long-term, dedicated representative for the people.

Su served as Deputy Director at Legislator Hsu Chih-chieh’s service office for three years, coordinating and resolving over 1,000 citizen service cases, with an 80% success rate. (Photo: Hsu Ping-wen)

Focusing on Centennial Market Renewal: Su’s TOD Solution to Revitalize Old Settlements

On Fongshan’s future development, Su believes the district is at a critical juncture of population growth and urban transformation. With policies such as social housing construction and the Dalinpu relocation project underway, Fongshan’s population is expected to surpass 400,000 in the near future. However, with population growth come challenges: aging traditional markets, stagnant development in old settlements, and insufficient public facilities.

Su first targets Fongshan’s First and Second Public Markets. He points out that while Fongshan has rich historical and cultural heritage, its century-old markets face a property rights dilemma—'the land belongs to the city government, but the buildings belong to private owners'—making comprehensive renovation difficult. As a result, vendors’ operating environments and surrounding aesthetics are falling behind urban development.

To address this, Su proposes applying Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) principles to renew markets and revitalize old settlements. Leveraging the markets’ proximity to MRT stations (within 500 meters), he advocates integrating MRT construction, land development, and market renewal through joint development to attract private investment while safeguarding the floor space rights of original residents and vendors. Su stresses that market renewal isn’t just about demolishing old buildings and rebuilding—it’s about ensuring that the people who live and work there can stay. Only by preserving both 'people' and 'industry' can old settlements be truly revitalized. If elected, he will urge the city government to present a comprehensive market renewal plan, preserving Fongshan’s historical culture while re-establishing traditional markets as central hubs of local development.

MRT Stations Should Do More Than Just 'Exist': Transportation Infrastructure Must Drive Holistic Urban Growth

Beyond market revitalization, MRT and transportation infrastructure are central to Su’s platform. He argues that as a key sub-center of Kaohsiung, Fongshan must not only focus on 'building MRT lines' but also plan the integrated development of land use, roads, commercial districts, and public facilities around MRT stations.

Su believes MRT station locations should not be determined solely by construction convenience but should proactively integrate with surrounding land development and urban planning. Each MRT station should become a node that drives local development, avoiding the mindset of 'placing stations just because it’s easier to build.' He pays special attention to the development of Zhonglun and Wujia areas, advocating for the integration of MRT networks, surrounding commercial zones, and road systems. Simultaneously, road widening, parking space expansion, and public facility improvements should be implemented to address long-standing issues of constrained development and fragmented living functions in old settlements. With Fongshan’s population and infrastructure set to grow continuously, transportation planning must be proactive, not reactive. Only through synchronized development of MRT, roads, commercial zones, housing, and public facilities can residents’ quality of life be truly enhanced.

Fighting for Fongshan’s Key Fifth Seat: Let the Person Who Knows Fongshan Best Champion Its Development

Su emphasizes that Fongshan is entering a new phase of urban development. The most critical challenge ahead is balancing the preservation of historical culture with the introduction of modern transportation and urban planning concepts. 'Fongshan is my home, and I want it to become better,' Su stresses. Having started from Fongshan and choosing to remain there, his re-entry into the race is not just about securing a council seat but transforming his grassroots service experience into a force for local progress.

Finally, he underscores that if elected as Fongshan’s fifth councilor—a pivotal seat for the DPP to achieve a legislative majority—he will prioritize 'market revitalization, MRT upgrades, and old settlement regeneration.' He will continue to monitor city policy implementation and fight for more construction projects and resources for Fongshan. Su says he wants Fongshan to grow not just in population but in quality of life, transportation, and urban functionality. As a native son of Fongshan, he will continue walking step by step, deeply rooted in the community, fighting for the fifth seat and a better future for Fongshan.